Palace to ask PNP chief about Baguio dinner

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang will ask Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Gamboa to shed light on the gathering of police officials in Baguio City, which was held as quarantine measures are being enforced to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

There have been rumors that a retirement party for Gamboa was held at a Navy base in Baguio City. Social media posts claimed the party was hosted by police officials and featured live band performances.

Gamboa, who is retiring on Sept. 2, has denied this, saying the event was only a dinner that observed quarantine protocols.

“I do not know if a party was held. What I can say is number one, we will check with General Gamboa if there was such a party; and then number two, if there was such a  party, then we will ask for an explanation,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing yesterday.

Roque, however, noted that Baguio City is under the most lenient modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), where gatherings are allowed as long as only up to half of the venue’s capacity is filled.

“Baguio City is under MGCQ, not MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine)... We will see. But in the first place, I cannot comment because I do not know whether a party was really held in Baguio,” the Palace spokesman said.

Despite Gamboa’s denial, critics have called the Baguio event a “mañanita,” an allusion to the controversial birthday celebration of National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas last May. Sinas and 18 other police officers are facing criminal and administrative charges over the party, which was held despite restrictions against mass gatherings.

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